Springs Fire 75% Contained, All Evacuation Orders Lifted

CAMARILLO (CBSLA.com) — The Springs Fire, which has burned 28,000 acres in Ventura County, was 60 percent contained Sunday morning, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.

More than 2,100 firefighters battled the brush fire, which started Thursday around 6:45 a.m., and subsequently prompted the evacuation of thousands, damaging 15 residences, five commercial properties and 15 outbuildings. Another 15 outbuildings were destroyed.

[UPDATE 11 p.m. Sunday: The fire is now 75% contained with full containment expected Monday. Also, it was reported six firefighters have been hurt battling the blaze.]

“The results of the investigation determined that the fire was an undetermined ignition along Highway 101 getting into the grass and the brush,” Ventura County Fire Dept. Tony McHale said. “Undetermined is a very broad spectrum, so we don’t have a specific cause but with all the traffic and the things that happen along the highway it could be any number of things.”

A Caltrans geotechnical engineer surveyed the area Saturday morning and determined that the slope is stable and landslides are not expected. In a few weeks, engineers will determine if further protection of the slope is necessary to prevent landslides during winter storms.

If storms predicted from Sunday — Tuesday are heavy enough to cause landslides, the highway may need to be closed again.